State Capitol News

11:36 am

Thu December 17, 2009

Proposed budget cuts could close state parks

Phoenix, AZ – State lawmakers took the first steps this afternoon to makingfurther budget adjustments -- including several that could end upclosing all state parks. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischerreports.

The plan approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee cutsfunding for most state agencies by 7 1/2 percent. But it alsoraids a host of special funds to the tune of about $50 million --more than $9 million of that from various special accountsadministered by the Parks Department. Jay Ziemann, the agency'sdeputy director, noted parks get no general fund tax dollars.Taking the funds, he said, will cripple the system.

"Put it this way, more staff we have to lay off, more parks wehave to close, the less revenue we generate. So then we have tolay off more staff. More parks close. And it just becomes aspiral that eventually we can't sustain."

Sen. Russell Pearce said there are other options, like hikingadmission fees to parks.

"I'm a believer in user fees. You use a service that's open toyou. There's a cost to that service. We've always protectedparks. We'll do as best we can, even in these tough times. Butyou simply have no money."

And Pearce said with a $1.6 billion deficit, parks may have togive way to higher priorities like education and public safety.The measure now goes to the full Senate.